Cold starts did in Marmaton Valley High’s boys and girls Tuesday, as they started the War on 54 Midseason Tournament on sour notes.
The Wildcat girls trailed 9-3 after one quarter and 18-7 at halftime of what became a 34-20 setback to St. Paul in the opening round.
In boys action, Anderson County blitzed its way to a 21-6 lead after one period of a 64-34 win.
The losses put both Wildcat teams in the consolation side of the tournament bracket to take on Yates Center. The MV girls will play at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Iola High School gymnasium. The boys contest will follow at 5 o’clock.
IN GIRLS play, Marmaton Valley’s Janae Granere gave the Wildcats a lift after halftime. After being limited to a field goal and a pair of free throws in the first half, Granere poured in all eight Wildcat points in the third. Problem was, St. Paul was able to stay in front 26-15 by the end of the period.
The Indians’ defense kept Marmaton Valley at bay down the stretch.
Granere wound up with 15 points to lead Marmaton Valley. Payton Scharff scored the other five Wildcat points.
Josey Harris led St. Paul with 14 points
St. Paul takes on top-seeded Anderson County in its semifinal matchup Thursday.
A SIMILAR pattern followed in the boys game. Anderson County stretched its early lead to 34-14 by intermission before Marmaton Valley’s offense began to click.
Dylan Drake erupted for eight third-quarter points, but Anderson County still was able to extend its lead to 53-28 with a balanced scoring attack.
Drake led Marmaton Valley with 13 points. Brayden Lawson was next with nine. Tyler Lord followed with eight.
Christian Barnett scored 16, Garrison Martin 14 and Noah Porter 12 for the Bulldogs, who move on to play Cherryvale Thursday in semifinal action.
Girls
MV (3-7-8-5—20)
FG/3pt FT F TP
Scharff 1 3 3 5, Lawson 0 0 1 0, B. Sutton 0 0 1 0, Granere 6 3 3 15. Totals 7 6 8 20
St. Paul (9-9-8-8—34)
K. Doherti 1 2 2 4, Jorja Harris 0 0 2 0, M. Doherti 0/1 0 0 3, Winter 0 0 1 0, Albertini 1 0 1 2, Josey Harris 5/1 1 1 14, Seme 1/1 0 1 5, Chambers 3 0 2 6, Totals 11 3 3 10 34
Boys
MV (6-8-12-8—34)
Drake 2/2 3 3 13, D. Smith 0 0 1 0, Lord 2 4 1 8, C. Smith 1 0 3 2, Lawson 4 1 1 9. Totals 9/2 8 9 34
